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Welcome to the first issue of Practical Sheep, Goats and Alpacas! There’s so much to say about this versatile and diverse group of livestock that has breeds for all purposes. Producing fibre, milk, cheese and dairy products, meat as well as being pets and companion animals, there is so much to gain from keeping these breeds. We at Practical Sheep Goats and Alpacas are committed to bringing you the very best from how to care for livestock to the many things you can do with them. But its YOUR magazine too and we are looking forward to finding out from you about your experiences, your aims and your achievements so do please contact us – we’ll be very pleased to hear from you. Every issue will include a comprehensive diary of events so send us the dates of your show or event -maybe it is a smallholder show or a sheep sale or open day. Whatever the occasion share it with us! But do remember to check before setting off to a show that the details are correct especially if the weather is bad. After one of the worst winters for livestock keepers followed by a cold spring, we are all hoping for a warm summer with good growing conditions so that silage, haylage and hay will be plentiful and the grass will be good for grazing. As livestock keepers ourselves, we make our own hay so the summer can be an anxious time for us worrying about getting the right weather and then bringing it all in and I think its the same for everyone in this situation. There’s also the shearing to be done and I’ve been talking to some experts about fleeces and spinning. I’ve always wanted to learn to spin and I’ve booked on to a course for spinning and for felting – as I have two left hands and managed to break someone’s drop spindle recently this may be something of a challenge for the tutor but I’ll try my hardest. I love the feel of natural fibres and they are all unique. So lots and lots to look forward to this summer and I hope its fun and successful for you.